Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

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Phoenix, AZ (AP) - With just one week until the All-Star game, there are currently no Flagstaff Hops leading in their position in the All-Star voting. John Nichols of Mesa still leads the way with 785k votes. Gilbert and Long Beach each have two players in the lead in the Desert League with Roswell, Colorado Springs and St George each with two in the Mountain League.

Robbie Westbrook is second in the Mountain League at second base, trailing Scottie Hager of St George by just 11k votes heading into their series this week.

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July 11-14: ST GEORGE (47-48) @ FLAGSTAFF (45-49)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

July 11: Hops 1, Archers 0
July 12: Hops 4, Archers 3 (11)
July 13: Hops 5, Archers 0
July 14: Hops 9, Archers 7

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops returned home and came away with a huge four game sweep of division rival St. George. They tossed two shutouts as they have now won six of their last eight.

Shoe Lace O’Tying was once again dominant as he tossed a complete game three-hit shutout in the Hops 1-0 victory over the Archers in Monday evening’s opener. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk as he improved to (7-4).

The lone run in the game came on an RBI groundout in the second inning by Rodney Millar.

Lamont Lawrence (6-7) was the hard luck loser for St. George. He pitched five innings, allowing one run on six hits.

Robbie Westbrook went 3 for 3 with a double in the game.

On Tuesday evening, the Hops rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to walk it off in eleven innings, 4-3. A Rodney Millar ground out up the middle scored Skyler Lyons with the game winner as the Hops won for the fourth time in their last six.

Rodney Millar was the hero in this one, hitting two solo home runs, including the game tying one in the bottom of the ninth, before knocking in the game winner. Millar now has 23 home runs on the season.

Aldo Osuna (3-2) picked up the win out of the bullpen. He pitched the tenth and eleventh innings, allowing two hits, but no runs. Ryan Pressley was pretty good after a rough start, allowing three runs on nine hits over seven innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Sam Goodman (0-2) took the loss for the Archers and was saddled with the blown save. He worked the ninth, tenth and eleventh, allowing two runs on two hits. He struck out four. The blown save was just his second on the season in 27 chances.

Wednesday evening, the Hops got another great pitching performance from Sam Herzog as they shutout the Archers 5-0. Herzog tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five as he picked up his ninth victory.

The Hops would break a scoreless tie in the fifth on a Donny Roland RBI single.

Flagstaff would extend the lead to 2-0 in the seventh on a solo home run from Robbie Westbrook, his 13th on the season. They would then blow it open in the eighth with a solo home run from Skyler Lyons and a two-run shot from Oscar Aleman.

Robbie Westbrook went 3 for 4 with a double, home run, RBI and two runs scored as he makes a late push to make the All-Star team. Skyler Lyons went 3 for 3 with a double and home run.

Pedro Macias earned the save, getting the final six outs, for his first on the season.

The finale was a home run fest as the teams combined for 10 home runs in an afternoon game with the wind blowing out as Flagstaff completed the sweep with a 9-7 victory. A Forrest Owen grand slam in the second inning keyed the victory as Flagstaff slowly inches its way back into the wild card conversation.

Robert Francis (5-7) got the start and win for Flagstaff but he struggled big time, allowing five runs, all on solo home runs, and seven hits in just five innings of work. The bullpen was able to nail down the win with Vic Miller picking up his 22nd save.

Down 2-0 in the second inning, Forrest Owen hit a grand slam to right off of Geraldo Rodriguez to put the Hops up 4-2. Arturo Mardones would then single home Shoe Lace O’Tying, who doubled, to make it 5-2.

But the Archers (47-48), losers of six straight, would hit three solo homers in the fourth to tie the ball game at 5-5, including Steve Marquez’s second of the game.

Roberto Geronimo hit a solo home run to open the bottom half of the fourth to put Flagstaff up for good, at 6-5. They would build their lead to 9-5 before Jamaal McCormick blasted a two-run shot off of Mark Wirth in the eighth to cut the lead to 9-7.

The Hops hit four home runs in the game: Aleman (13), Owen (12), Mardones (10) and Geronimo (25).

The Hops (45-49) will now close out the first half of the season with a three game series against the Albuquerque Mariachis (48-46) starting tomorrow evening.

Around the League: San Diego’s Maurice Johnson (5-6) pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out seven in a 1-0 victory over Long Beach. Roswell’s Blake Pacinelli blasted three home runs and drove in six as the Aliens clobbered Colorado Springs 11-4.

TRADES: The Saguaros have acquired 30-year-old star shortstop Jaime Hernandez from the Yuma Dust Devils in exchange for centerfielder Johnnie Doyle and a prospect, catcher Paul Ellis. Hernandez was hitting .325 with seven homers, 38 RBIs and 12 stolen bases for the Dust Devils. Ellis is an A-rated prospect in the low minors. Doyle will be slotted into a crowded outfield but should start.

San Diego has traded starting pitcher/long reliever Felipe De Jesus to Albuquerque for three prospects in second baseman James Martinez, third baseman Malcom Nunez and shortstop Will Holland.

Las Vegas has acquired left fielder Herb Clark from Mesa in exchange for closer Lamont Vann and starting pitcher Sonny Erdman. Clark is a 24-year-old in the final year of his contract. He is hitting .253 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs to go along with 13 steals. The Nuggets then traded away two more prospects for Flagstaff closer Ian Gonzalez as they sent 18 -year-old third baseman Michael Kelly and 21-year-old shortstop Osleivis Basabe back.

Shoe Lace O’Tying is turning into a superstar.

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July 15-17: ALBUQUERQUE (49-48) @ FLAGSTAFF (47-50)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

July 15: Hops 6, Mariachis 4
July 16: Mariachis 6, Hops 5 (10)
July 17: Hops 8, Mariachis 5

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops ended the first half of the year by taking two of three from Albuquerque and winning seven of their last eight as they head into the All-Star break.

The suddenly red-hot Flagstaff Hops won their fifth straight game on Friday night as they defeated the Albuquerque Mariachis 6-4. Rodney Millar had himself a game, going 4 for 4 with three solo home runs and a two-run go ahead double in the bottom of the eighth to help pace the victory.

The Hops led this one 4-0 after six innings thanks to Millar’s three solo home runs and a solo homer from Arturo Mardones. Millar, who hit two homers on Tuesday, now is up to 26 on the season. That leaves him one behind the leaders in the Mountain League.

John Benitez worked six scoreless innings before leaving the game. He allowed five hits and struck out four before Bud Black went to his bullpen. Peter Gorzelski came on and could not record an out, allowing two hits and walking one before giving way to Oliver Benedict. Benedict would give up a huge two-out, two run single that allowed the Mariachis to tie the game at 4-4.

In the bottom of the eighth, Rodney Millar would strike again as he came up with two on and two out. He lined a double into the right centerfield gap to score both Roberto Geronimo and Robbie Westbrook. Millar would finish with five RBIs in the win.

Vic Miller came on and locked down his 23rd save as the Hops moved back to within three games of .500.

On Saturday afternoon, the Mariachis rallied for a 6-5 victory in extra innings to put an end to the Hops season high five game winning streak. Jaevan Cooper’s two-run home run in the top of the tenth proved to be the winner for the visitors.

The Hops jumped out to an early lead with two in the top of the first inning thanks to Art Mason and Oscar Aleman solo home runs. Thomas Estrado would get one back in the top of the second for the Mariachis off of Flagstaff ace Shoe-Lace O’Tying.

Red-hot Rodney Millar blasted his 27th on the season in the fourth to put the Hops up 3-1. It was his sixth home run since Tuesday.

The Mariachis would get to O’Tying though as he did not bring his best stuff on Saturday. A Rodriguez RBI single in the fifth cut the lead to 3-2. Jaevan Cooper then singled home Reyes in the sixth to tie the game at 3-3. The Mariachis would take the lead in the seventh on a fielder’s choice as Vargas beat out what would have been an inning eneding double play with the bases loaded. That allowed Beckman to score.

Roberto Geronimo would tie it up in the bottom half, hitting his 26th on the year and it was a brand new ball game.

The Mariachis would retake the lead in the top of the tenth on the Jaevan Cooper moon shot. It landed an estimated 460 feet and that two-run shot put the Mariachis up for good. Emmitt Hampton would get a pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom half and Art Mason ripped a ball that seemed destined to tie the game but Swearer made a diving catch to save the game for Albuquerque.

Also Osuna (3-3) took the loss as he walked Estrada to open the tenth. The Hops grounded into three double plays in the game, ending scoring threats.

In the finale, the Hops rallied from a 4-0 deficit to win it 8-5. A Leandro Lugo three-run home run in the sixth inning broke a 5-5 tie and sent the Hops on to victory.

Albuquerque (49-48) looked like they may run away and hide early on as they score three in the first and one in the second to grab a 4-0 lead off of Ryan Pressley. But he would settle down and in the middle innings, the Hops’ bats came alive.

In the fourth, white-hot Rodney Millar homered to left, his 28th on the year and seventh this week to make it 4-1. The Hops would then score three times in the fifth to tie it. Art Mason doubled home Josh Ortega. Leandro Lugo then singled home Forrest Owen and Mason to tie the game at 4-4.

Jeffrey Horner would hit a solo home run off of Pressley to open the sixth as the Mariachis retook the lead at 5-4.

But Leandro Lugo’s three run shot off of Felipe De Jesus in the bottom half but the Hops ahead/ Lugo went 2 for 4 in the game with the home run and he drove in five.

Ryan Pressley (6-8) would get the win despite the rough start. He went six innings, allowing five runs on ten hits. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. Mark Worth, Oliver Benedict and Vic Millar would three scoreless and hitless innings to close it out. Millar picked up his 24th save.

The Hops now head into the All-Star break just three games below .500 and questions abound as to whether they are a contender or if they should build for the future as the trade deadline looms.

Around the League: The San Diego Seals outlasted the Yuma Dust Devils 5-4 in a 19 inning marathon won on a Javier Vatencia RBI double. Tucson scores two in the bottom of the ninth to tie and then four in the bottom of the tenth to rally and defeat Scottsdale 11-8. Judson Hammett hit two home runs and drove in six, including a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning to win it for the red-hot Roadrunners.

TRADES: The Mariachis sent reliever Eli Baron to the Jack Rabbits in exchange for reliever Lou Montalvo, center fielder Andres Rosado, and starting pitcher Vincent Lee.

The Nuggets traded reliever Jose Zapata to the Fire Frogs for closer Will Klein.

The Gilbert Barnstormers acquired starting pitcher Frank Reyna from Yuma in exchange for a couple of high end prospects in starter Tom Ryder and reliever Dave Pearce. The 28-year-old Reyna was the ace on a poor Yuma team and was (5-7) with an ERA od 4.63 in 112 innings of work.

The Silver Bullets acquired starting pitcher Pat Mehnutzak from the Scorpions in exchange for second baseman Mark Griffin and centerfielder Ryan Caraballo. Mehnutzak is a 22-year-old stud who has struggled on a bad Scottsdale team. He posted a (7-6) record with a 4.28 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 128.1 innings. He had a 1.24 WHIP and 12 quality starts. Mark Griffin in an 18-year-old top prospect who was hitting .273 with five homers and 22 RBIs in 326 at-bats for the Silver Bullets.

Las Vegas continues to be active as they have acquired second baseman Eddie Francisco from Fort Worth in exchange for pitcher Jonathan McCabe and centerfielder Lawrence Fox.

Rodney Millar hit five home runs in the weekend series and now has hit 28 on the year.

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2022 STATE FARM HOME RUN DERBY


Flagstaff’s Roberto Geronimo took home the crown in an awesome display of power.

Las Vegas, NV (AP) – Flagstaff’s Roberto Geronimo won the 2022 State Farm Home Run Derby at the gorgeous brand new MGM Park in Las Vegas as the All-Star festivities began. He beat out teammate Rodney Millar in the finals, 24-22 in the inaugural Home Run Derby in Las Vegas.

Fort Worth’s Randy Klaus, the top seed, got by Tuan Santana of the Salt River Rafters in the opening round, 17-16. Geronimo then defeated Gilbert’s Steve Heupel 22-19. Roswell’s Blake Pacinelli defeated Phoenix’s Keith Morales 18-17 and Rodney Millar outslugged Surprise’s Alberto Ruiz 6-5 in extra time after they tied 22-22.

In the semifinals, Roberto Geronimo and Randy Klaus were tied at 21 before Geronimo outslugged Klaus 5-3 in extra time. Rodney Millar also needed extra time to dispose of Blake Pacinelli after they each hit 22 home runs. Millar won in extra time 5-4.

That setup a final between teammates Roberto Geronimo and Rodney Millar, both on Flagstaff. Geronimo went first and was hitting bombs, earning the extra :30 seconds with as he hit four over 440 feet and a long of 458 feet. In all he hit 24, a huge number to match. Rodney Millar was up to it, it seemed as he also earned the extra time with two blasts over 440 feet, with a long of 450 feet. But Millar could only manage 22, which left him two short and gave the title to Geronimo.

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ILB ALL-STAR GAME STARTERS

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JULY 15: IBL ALL-STAR GAME


San Diego’s Matt Mulder was the MVP with this two-run home run.

Las Vegas, NV (AP) – The Desert League jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first and never looked back as the won the inaugural Intermountain Baseball League All-Star Game in Las Vegas at the new MGM Park by a score of 5-2 over the Mountain League. San Diego’s Matt Mulder hit a two-run home run off of Sam Gonzalez that proved to be the winner as he went home with the MVP of the game.

Colorado Springs’ Sam Gonzalez has been the best pitcher in the IBL this season, but he got roughed up on Tuesday evening. Gilbert’s Anthony Ortiz lined a single to open the game and that was followed by back-to-back RBI doubles from Garrett Matthews (Mesa) and John Nichols (Mesa) as the Desert League jumped out to a 2-0 lead. 18-year-old Sam Mulder then hit a two-run home run to the opposite field that just cleared the wall to make it 4-0 before the Mountain League even came to the plate.

Garrett Matthews would add an RBI double in the fifth to put the DL up 5-0.

The Mountain League would finally get on the board in the bottom of the fifth on a Randy Klaus (Fort Worth) solo home run. They would add a run in the eighth on a Richie Guerrero (Santa Fe) RBI single but that was it.

Steve Willis of Long Beach picked up the win, working two scoreless and hitless innings. Geronimo Ortega of Gilbert would pick up the save as he worked a scoreless ninth.

Flagstaff’s Sam Herzog was the team’s lone All-Star. He pitched two innings, allowing one run on one hit.